NHS vs private
NHS vs Private Health Check.
NHS vs private health check is not a question of good versus bad. NHS Health Checks are valuable public-health assessments for eligible people. Private health checks add choice, speed, appointment time and broader testing for people who want a more detailed review.
Dr Ahmed Bachelani
Doctor-led interpretation
Results reviewed in clinical context.
Health checks are most useful when results are interpreted by an experienced doctor. Dr Ahmed Bachelani is Medical Director and a General Practitioner at London Harley Street Practice, with over 25 years of medical expertise and qualifications including MBBS, MRCP, MRCGP, DOccMed and BSc.
Over 25 years medical expertise
Member of RCP and RCGP
Occupational health experience
66 Harley Street since 2003
Transparent pricing
What an NHS Health Check is for
The NHS Health Check is designed to assess risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease in eligible adults. It is an important public-health service and can be the right starting point for many people.
Eligibility, frequency and availability depend on NHS criteria and local arrangements. It is not designed to be a comprehensive private medical, and it does not usually include broad imaging or highly personalised package selection.
What a private health check adds
A private health check can offer longer appointment time, package choice, broader blood panels, ECG, lung function, ultrasound, MRI or specialist screening depending on the package.
It also gives you a written report and action plan, with follow-up included in many packages. This can be helpful if you want all findings interpreted together rather than receiving isolated results.
How to choose between them
If you are eligible for an NHS Health Check, it can be a useful baseline. If you want a broader review, faster appointment, sex-specific screening, imaging or more time with a doctor, a private health check may be appropriate.
The two options can complement each other. A private check is not a replacement for NHS care, emergency care or symptom-led assessment.
Compare options
| Check | Price | Duration | Best for | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Health Check | £255 | 30 minutes | A broad 30-minute health check adding ENT and abdominal examinations, oxygen saturation, comprehensive blood markers, urine analysis, ECG, and cardiovascular risk calculation. | See the Premium Health Check |
| Well Man Health Check | £690 | 60 minutes | Routine preventative screening for men, with male-focused blood panel, prostate testing, 12-lead ECG, lung function tests, and free follow-up. | See the Well Man Health Check |
| Well Woman Health Check | £690 | 60 minutes | Routine preventative screening for women, with breast and gynaecological examinations, hormone panel, ovarian cancer screening, ECG, lung function, and follow-up. | See the Well Woman Health Check |
| Vitals Health Check | £480 | 30 minutes | A cardiorespiratory and metabolic check with 12-lead ECG, lung function tests, HbA1c diabetes screen, and cardiovascular and diabetes risk calculations. | See the Vitals Health Check |
| Healthy Heart Check | £2,665 / £3,865* | Extended | A comprehensive cardiovascular assessment to detect early disease, with CT coronary angiogram available where indicated. | See the Healthy Heart Check |
Is a private health check better than an NHS Health Check?
Not automatically. NHS Health Checks are valuable for eligible people. Private checks add breadth, speed, package choice and more detailed reporting.
Does an NHS Health Check include prostate testing?
NHS Health Checks are not usually designed as prostate screening appointments. Private Well Man packages may include PSA where listed.
Can I have both?
Yes. Many people use NHS services and private screening for different reasons.
Book
Book in under two minutes.
Choose a health check appointment online, or speak to our team if you are unsure which package to book.